And now the worries move to Hurley.
CALE Hooker has signed a five-year contract with Essendon.
The Herald Sun understands talks between Hooker’s manager Tom Petroro and Bombers officials late last night clinched the deal.
The Bombers increased their offer from a four-year deal to five years at about $750,000 a season.
Fremantle, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Melbourne and Collingwood were among many clubs to make a play for the best-and-fairest defender.
Two of those clubs offered six-year deals for the 27-year-old, meaning Hooker has rejected up to $1 million to remain a Bomber for the rest of his career.
The news gets better for the Bombers with an announcement soon that All-Australian defender Michael Hurley will also remain a bomber.
Hurley has been courted heavily by rival clubs, but his manager Paul Connors has repeatedly told them Hurley is loyal to the Bombers.
Bombers list manager Adrian Dodoro and chief executive Xavier Campbell worked tirelessly to convince Hooker his future, and the club’s future, was looking bright under new coach John Worsfold.
Hooker and Petroro met late yesterday to discuss Essendon’s latest offer and the club was informed of Hooker’s decision late last night.
Despite urgings by media commentators to let Hooker leave and receive pick No. 2 in this year’s national draft as compensation, the Bombers were determined to keep Hooker and the rest of the 12 suspended players.